Following the publication of an SPFL EGM vote on a resolution calling for an independent investigation, I set out below how Motherwell FC voted and why we came to that decision.
Firstly, and contrary to various reports in the press, the board did not reach a conclusion until the weekend. This came after we had spent the appropriate time reviewing all the documentation which was supplied to clubs.
As I have said before, the situation we are in has no precedent. So it is no surprise that we are all, from Government down to individuals, struggling to make sense of where we find ourselves and how best we get through. Good answers are not easy to find.
It is against that backdrop that we reviewed the evidence. The key decision the SPFL board took was to propose a resolution to “call” the leagues other than the Premiership, and giving itself the power to do the latter in due course. Their rationale was twofold.
1) It was extremely unlikely this season could be finished.
2) In those circumstances the most important aspect was to protect, as far as possible, next season.
As a club we felt that was the correct decision at the time and it has been confirmed over the past weeks. There are now no credible voices still arguing that the 2019/20 season can be completed.
Did the evidence produced meet the high threshold required to merit an independent review of that decision and indeed an open-ended and unlimited enquiry into the whole corporate governance of the SPFL? In our view it did not.
We also took into account two other factors in our decision not to support the resolution.
Is this the appropriate time to divert resource into an investigation? In our view, it is not and we are surprised by the amount of effort and energy devoted to this topic at a time when Scottish football faces an existential crisis.
Secondly, it is very likely that a large number of clubs will need significant help to get to the other side of this, which might in turn entail accessing money from external sources. The chance of getting that sort of funding is much reduced if we continue to fight in public. For that reason, can we not all come together as a group to try and get the best possible outcome?
If in due course, when we are through this crisis, clubs feel that there should be a review of how the structure and operation of the SPFL could be improved, then we would support that and would be happy to be involved.
Jim McMahon
Chairman